As sweltering temperatures hit the UK again, many workers are battling through uncomfortable heat. And as there is no maximum working temperature, they are being warned to look out for signs of heat stress.
Less well-known than its cousin heat stroke, heat stress is a result of both physical and environmental factors such as hot working conditions, stress, protective work clothes and lack of hydration. It refers to when the body cannot get rid of excess heat and can lead to heat stroke.
The signs include dizziness and nausea, confusion, brain fog, headaches, severe thirst, cramps, heat rash and excessive sweating. Those working on construction sites may not be able to operate machinery due to reduced ability to concentrate, sweating palms and fogging goggles.
Office workers may faint or experience brain fog that prevents them from being able to do their work accurately. People working from home and outside are said to be more likely to experience heat stress as they won’t have access to aircon or might be exposed to the direct sun.
Workplace psychologist and managing director at Inspired Development, Dr Lynda Folan, said workers communicate honestly with managers if they feel unable to work. And she offered the following tips for keeping cool while working in the heatwave.
Take regular breaks when it gets too hot
Take a 5-10 minutes break and sit somewhere cool in your house, or at your place of work, if you don’t have an aircon system and take sips of water.
Keep hydrated
Set reminders to take sips of cool or iced water at least every hour to keep your body hydrated and cool. Avoid caffeinated and alcoholic drinks as these will dehydrate you further.
Take a cool shower
Ignore the myths that drinking hot tea and taking hot showers will cool you down - they don’t, and can make heat stress symptoms worse! Instead, take a cool shower on your lunch break (if you’re working from home). As the day is hottest during the afternoon, this will help you when the heat is most unbearable.
Routinely apply a cold compress
Rinse a flannel or muslin cloth with cold water and place it on your wrists, back of your neck and your head to cool you down further. Muslin is ideal as it’s breathable and will maintain a cool temperature.
Keep your to-do list manageable
As the extreme heat will make it harder to concentrate, make sure your to-do list remains manageable, with the easiest tasks first. A clear, targeted list will help you stay productive throughout the day.
